Florida storm abating ? for now

Tropical Storm Ernesto has made landfall around 60 miles south of Miami and has been downgraded by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) from a hurricane.

High winds and heavy rain are expected to hit the Florida Keys and Bay areas which have already seen mass evacuations after a hurricane was expected.

The storm arrived one year on from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and brought back harsh memories for those living in the area. However, for now experts are saying the storm has abated.

Max Mayfield, NHC director, stated: "Frankly, I am surprised it has not strengthened.

"But for all those thousands and thousands of people with blue-tarped roofs, that's good news."

On the pacific coast the more powerful Hurricane John is gathering pace near Mexico. Forecasters are saying that it is turning into a powerful cyclone and that it could affect tourist areas in Acapulco.

Currently forecasters aren't expecting the hurricane to hit the US and no state of emergency like the one called in for Ernesto will be initiated.

Typically some Floridians have stayed in their homes on the Keys and are set to sit out the storm while it passes over.

Dangers of flooding and structural damage still remain.